Inhalant capsule



Patented Aug. 6, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INHALANT CAPSULE No Drawing. Application June 21, 1933,

Serial No. 676,320

3 Claims.

This invention relates to inhalant capsules, and more particularly to capsules made in whole or in part of a low melting alloy containing an inhalant having a high vapor tension.

5 For treating certain ailments and catarrhal conditions of the respiratory tract, relief may be obtained by evaporating remedies in hot water and inhaling the combined vapors of water and the remedy.

It is proposed by this invention to form capsules or containers in whole or in part of a low melting alloy having a melting point below that of the boiling point of water. The capsules are hermetically sealed and filled with inhalant com- 5 position which may be of any suitable type.

When the capsule is dropped in heated water, the

temperature of which is above the melting point of the alloy, it will melt and release the inhalant composition. Due to the fact that the capsule is heavy, it will at first sink when dropped into the water and the inhalant composition will rise up through the water being vaporized by the same.

The medicaments are drugs having a high vapor tension and of an aromatic medicinal nature.

The combined vapors of water and the drugs are then inhaled. While the water is sufiiciently hot the alloy will remain at the bottom of the vessel containing the water and will have the appearance of mercury. It was found that children will be induced to inhale the vapors when watching the melted alloy move about in the bottom of the vessel.

More particularly, it has been found that any of a number of low melting point alloys may be used. The following table gives a number of suitable alloys, all of which have melting points below the boiling points of. water.

LOW MELTING POINT ALLOYS Metal B in the above table is Woods alloy. Metal C is Lipowitzs alloy. The alloy is prepared or obtained from any suitable source. It is then melted and poured on a chilled sheet.

The chilling 'of the metal tends to keep the crystals of a small size. These alloys seem to be annealed by sudden chilling. They contract when heated and expand upon cooling. The sheet after being chilled is then rolled to sheets having a thickness 5 varying between 1/100 to 1/50 of an inch or the like. These thin sheets are maleable but are brittle to shock. They are then. spun or pressed to form small receptacles which are open at one portion thereof for the reception of medicaments. 10 The open portion is then sealed by placing a cover of the same metal and fusing it to the con tainer. While it is preferred to make the entire container out of a low melting alloy, it is to be understood that a receptacle may be made out 15 of any suitable metal and provided with a cover of low melting alloy, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Many remedies are suitable for use in this invention. It has been found that menthol, Barram, lavender oil, trichlorobutanol, paracresylcinnamate, terpinylacetate, camphor, benzoic acid and the like are all suitable for employment in this invention. Various ingredients in varying proportions may be used. Such medicaments 2 as paracresylcinnamate possesses a very pleasing odor and at the same time has high antiseptic properties, having a phenol coefficient of over 500. Terpinylacetate is not only an antiseptic but also possesses a delightful odor. Barram lavender oil 3 is antiseptic and at the same time is much used in perfumery. Menthol is slightly antiseptic, having a phenol coefiicient of 2. These remedies are volatile and possess a comparatively high vapor tension.

Any suitable mixture of medicaments is sealed in a container made in whole or in part of one of the fusible alloys listed'above. The hermetic sealing of the medicaments in the container prevents deterioration from exposure to light, atmospheric moisture and oxygen.

When a container or capsule made in accordance with this invention is dropped into a vessel or bowl partially filled with water heated to a temperature above the melting point of the alloy, it immediately sinks to the bottom where the container or case melts or partially melts liberating the materials. These substances being lighter than water and not soluble or miscible therewith rise to the surface. Inasmuch as they possess a high vapor tension vapors are thrown off from the remedy along with the water vapors. These vapors when inhaled have proved to be valuable in the relief of certain respiratory ailments such as nasal catarrh, rhinitis, coryza and for the common cold. It is to be understood, of course, that no representation is made that this remedy will cure any of the above mentioned ailments, but it has been found that the respiratory tract is relieved and breathing is made easier.

It may be pointed out that these containers may be filled with odorous materials, incense, scents or perfumes and may be used much in the manner of an incense burner. The vapors being mixed with water vapors, possess a more pleasing note than those thrown off by direct fire. Furthermore, the more delicate scents are consumed or destroyed by fire, but when com bined with water vapors odors are usually intensified and brought out in their natural state.

It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. t is further obvious that various changes may be made in details within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that this invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

This invention claims:

1. A capsule having a portion of the walls thereof formed of an alloy having a melting point below the boiling point of Water, and an aromatic volatile substance sealed within said capsule.

2. A capsule formed of an alloy having a melting point below 212 F. and an aromatic compound having a high vapor tension sealed within said capsule.

3. A capsule as in claim 1 in which the aromatic volatile substance is a medicine having a high vapor tension and is adapted to be inhaled.

KATHARINE D. PAINTER, Administmtrz'zc of the Estate of Albin M. Painter, Deceased.

HAMILTON P. CADY. GEORGE C. HENSON. 

